This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Each year, around 700 people die from ATV accidents and 136,000 are treated in emergency-departments nationwide, some for life-altering injuries. Already this year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has received reports of 130 adults and 28 children who have died in ATV-related accidents around the country. Some tips for staying safe:
Do not permit children younger than 16 years old to drive or ride adult ATVs. Children younger than 16 years old lack the developmental skills to safely drive adult ATVs and according to the commission, more than 90 percent of all ATV-related injuries involve children riding adult ATVs.
Always wear protective gear - especially a helmet - when riding ATVs. All ATV drivers, including children, should take an ATV safety course from a certified instructor.
Do not ride on a single-rider ATV as a passenger or carry a passenger if you drive one.
Never allow more people on any ATV than the vehicle was designed to carry.
Do not drive ATVs on paved roads. ATVs have solid rear axles, which make turning on paved surfaces difficult and dangerous and increase the risk of the ATV overturning or hitting another object, such as a tree or car.
Children younger than 6 should never be on an ATV, either as a driver or passenger.
Go HERE to read more about ATV safety.